Handgun safety rules and procedures

Four Basic Handgun Safety Rules:

1. Treat ALL firearms as if they were loaded. 2. DO NOT point at or cover anything with the muzzle until ready to shoot. 3. Keep trigger finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot. 4. Be certain of your target and your line of fire. 5. Safe and secure storage of your firearm is one of your most important responsibilities. It is a full-time responsibility. You must always secure your firearm and ammunition so that they are not accessible to children or other unauthorized persons.

There are a variety of locks and safe storage containers available in the marketplace which may be appropriate for your particular needs. By purchasing a firearm you have taken on the responsibility of safely securing the firearm at all times and preventing its unauthorized use. It is your personal responsibility to select and use whatever devices or practices that will enable you to safely secure your firearm AT ALL TIMES.

Please review the Safe Storage and Transportation section at the bottom of this page for more information about safe storage techniques.

Gun Safety, Operation & Storage

- Safe gun handling is YOUR personal responsibility at all times. Firearms are dangerous and can cause serious injury and death if they are misused or used inappropriately. Safety must be the prime consideration of anyone who owns or handles firearms.

- You are responsible for the firearm at all times. In owning a firearm, you must undertake full-time responsibility for your firearm''s safety and security. You must protect yourself and all others against injury or death from misuse of the firearm.

- Safe storage is your responsibility. In particular, you must secure firearms safely from children and unauthorized users. A lock has been provided for your use with this firearm. A lock is not a substitute for safe and secure storage as defined in the Safe Storage and Transportation section of this manual.

- Accidents are the result of violating the rules of safe gun handling and common sense.

- For your safety and the safety of others, never rely on mechanical features alone. Only your safe gun-handling habits will ensure the safe use of your firearm. This is your responsibility.

- Never keep ammunition in the same location as the handgun. Store in a separate and secure place.

- READ and UNDERSTAND these instructions before using your firearm.

At home, in the field, at the range, or anywhere, the first concern of every firearm owner should be safety. Apply the following safety rules in every situation, with any kind of firearm:

- BEFORE HANDLING ANY FIREARM, UNDERSTAND ITS OPERATION. Not all firearms are the same. Familiarize yourself with the mechanical features of any firearm you intend to use. If you feel uncertain about any operational aspects of your handgun, please contact Smith & Wesson at 1-800-331-0852 before proceeding with its operation.

- ALWAYS SAFELY STORE AND SECURE YOUR FIREARM. Safe and secure storage of your firearm is one of the most important responsibilities of firearms ownership. It is a full-time responsibility. You must always secure your firearm and ammunition separately so that they are not accessible to children or other unauthorized persons. (See Safe Storage Instructions below)

- ALWAYS TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS IF IT WERE LOADED AND WOULD FIRE IF THE TRIGGER IS PULLED. Do not take anyone''s word that the firearm is unloaded - always check for yourself. Never pass your firearm to another person until the cylinder or action is open and you visually check that it is unloaded. Keep your firearm unloaded and safely stored when not in use.

- ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. Never point a firearm at anyone or anything you do not intend to shoot whether or not it is loaded. This is particularly important when loading, unloading, or field stripping the gun. ALWAYS control the direction of the firearm.

- NEVER PLACE YOUR FINGER INSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD UNLESS YOU INTEND TO FIRE. Your firearm cannot fire unless the trigger is pulled. Ensure that other objects do not touch the trigger.

- ALWAYS BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT. Always be sure of where the bullet will strike and shoot only where there is a safe backstop free of obstructions, water or other surfaces which can cause ricochets. Do not fire into the sky.

Additional Important Safety Rules

- Never carry or store a firearm with the hammer or striker in the cocked position.

- Do not allow a firearm to be used by individuals who have not read these basic firearms safety rules and do not under-stand its safe operation and the rules of safe gun-handling.

- Be sure all accessories, such as holsters and grips, are compatible with the firearm and that the accessories do not interfere with safe operation.

- Use the correct ammunition for your particular firearm as indicated by the marking on the barrel. Never use non-standard, reloaded, or "handloaded" ammunition which has not been subjected to internal ballistic pressure testing.

- Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other substances known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical injury. Review the warnings and labels for all ammunition and cleaning products carefully. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.

- Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting. Do not use your firearm if you are on any medication which impairs, even slightly, your mental or physical ability.

- Wear eye and hearing protection appropriate for firearm use every time you discharge your firearm. Make sure others in the vicinity of where you will be shooting do so as well.

- Do not allow any alteration or replacement of parts in your Smith & Wesson firearm unless performed by a qualified gunsmith using genuine Smith & Wesson parts. If you do otherwise, improper functioning of your firearm may occur and serious injury may result.

- Never cross obstacles such as fences or streams with a loaded firearm.

These are basic firearms safety rules. There are other common sense safety rules that should be followed at all times under the circumstances then presented. SAFE USE OF A FIREARM IS YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE FAILURE TO FOLLOW ALL OF THESE BASIC SAFETY RULES MAY RESULT IN SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

WARNING: SAFE AND SECURE STORAGE OF YOUR FIREARM IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RULES OF FIREARM SAFETY. YOUR FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

- You must always secure your firearm and ammunition separately so that they are not accessible to children or other unauthorized persons.

- Safe and secure storage and transportation of your firearm are your responsibility. It is a full-time responsibility.

- ALWAYS STORE YOUR FIREARM UNLOADED.

- Your firearm and ammunition should be stored separately in places and in a manner inaccessible to children and unauthorized persons.

- There are a variety of locks and safe storage containers available in the marketplace which may be appropriate for your particular needs. Consult your local gunshop, hardware store, or local police department for guidance on the variety of other safe storage devices or practices which may be appropriate for your particular needs. By purchasing this firearm you have taken on the responsibility of safely securing the firearm at all times and preventing its unauthorized use. It is your personal responsibility to select and use whatever devices or practices that will enable you to safely secure your firearm at all times.

- Do not use a lock on a loaded handgun AND NEVER LOAD A LOCKED HANDGUN!

- Only you can determine what devices or practices are appropriate for the safe storage of your firearm and your ammunition.

- NEVER ASSUME THAT A "HIDING" PLACE IS A SECURE STORAGE METHOD. Others may be aware of your storage location or come upon it by chance. It is your personal responsibility to use common sense when storing and securing your firearm and ammunition and to always make sure that it is not accessible to children or other unauthorized persons.

- FOLLOW THE LAW!! You must be familiar with all local, state, and federal laws regarding the safe storage and transportation of your firearm. Failure to know and follow the law may result in unauthorized access or use of your firearm by another. Obey all laws relating to the storage and transportation of firearms.

- NEVER TRANSPORT A LOADED FIREARM.

- When transporting your firearm, be sure it is unloaded and that the cylinder or action is open.

- Your local police department or gunshop will furnish you with available information on storing and/or transporting a firearm legally.

- YOUR FIREARM IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

- Protect your firearm from theft or misuse by untrained or unqualified individuals.

MAINTENANCE BEFORE STORAGEWhen storing, do not encase your firearm in anything that will attract or hold moisture, for example, leather or heavy cloth. Also, do not store guns with a plug inserted in the barrel for this can be a contributing factor to moisture accumulation. If your firearm is to be stored for an extended period, the bore, chambers and internal working mechanism should be oiled with acid-free lubricating oil or preservative, and the external working mechanisms, frame, cylinder and barrel should be coated with an anti-rust oil. Before using your firearm again, be sure to clean it. Every time you clean your firearm, check it for signs of wear. If wear is noted, do not use the firearm. Return it to Smith & Wesson for service or have it checked by a qualified gunsmith.

MAINTENANCE BEFORE USEBefore using your firearm, it should be cleaned. (See Cleaning Instructions) Your firearm has been treated with either a preservative or oil to protect it against corrosion. Before using it, all excess oil should be wiped from the bore, chambers (charge holes), and exposed areas using a clean swab or patch. A light coat of high quality gun oil should be applied to the outside surfaces and mechanism. Care should be taken not to oil the mechanism to the degree that dust and lint may be trapped by the oil.

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